CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government is planning to build an arch worth Rs 252 lakhs to mark Dr MGR’s birth centenary year at Kamarajar Salai but the hitches are the Coastal Regulation Zone Clearance and the Supreme Court order which bans construction of any structure on public roads.
Official sources told Express that the state government accorded permission to build the arch on March 7, 2018 and the chief architect of the Public Works Department has evolved a detailed drawing for the proposed arch which is being constructed across Kamrajar Salai in between the entrance gate of the Public Works Department and the Presidency College.
However, the work is stalled over the required no-objection certificate from the state government which officials say is being mulled, following the Supreme Court order passed on January 18, 2013 pertaining to structures or statue on public roads.
The order, passed by Justices R M Lodha and S J Mukhopadhaya on an application challenging the Kerala government’s permission to a private society to install the statue of a public figure on roads, has directed that henceforth, the state governments shall not grant any permission for installation of any statue or construction of any statue on public roads and pavements.
Initially, it is learnt that the Greater Chennai Corporation, which got the application from PWD, had forwarded it to the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority as the height of the proposed arch is more than 15.25 metres.
Corporation sources told Express that since the proposal is for a memorial, the CMDA has to accord special sanction under Rule 20 (1) of development regulations.
However, the blueprint of arch is alleged to be faulty. “As street alignment of 30 metres is proposed in the second master plan for Kamarajar salai, the proposed arch’s width is 20 metres. The PWD has been asked to confirm whether the 20-metre-wide arch could suffice on the 30-metre-wide road,” sources added.
However, now it is not the CMDA, but the revenue department which will have a final say in the proposal.
Sources said that in view of the Supreme Court order, the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Secretary has addressed the issue to the Chennai Police Commissioner and the District Collector for reports.
A final clearance would be given only after getting the clearance of the Revenue department, which is the nodal department after it scrutinises the report from the District Collector. “The final order will be issued by the Revenue department after getting the concurrence of Chief Minister,” sources added.
The glitches